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Ministry of Care and Companionship

On Medical Assistance in Dying and Hope in Christ: A toolkit to share our message

71624139 b00d 45d7 9803 e3d78724f96dIn June 2026, euthanasia, commonly known as MAiD, became legal in Canada. This changed the medical and healthcare landscape for all Canadians. For Canadian Catholics specifically, this raises moral questions that lead to difficult conversations or to their avoidance.

To bring greater awareness, understanding, and faithful action regarding MAiD, the Archdiocese created a toolkit titled "On Medical Assistance in Dying and Hope in Christ: A toolkit to share our message". The toolkit equips people to:

  • Understand the current context of MAiD in Canada and Nova Scotia
  • Talk about MAiD with family, friends, and parishioners
  • Understand our Catholic teaching and stance against MAiD
  • Access further resources

The toolkit is aimed at clergy, hospital chaplains, and those in pastoral care; however, it is available to all. The toolkit is meant to be used as a DIGITAL RESOURCE on your computer, tablet, or phone, and can be accessed by clicking the toolkit image to the left.

Many of the links within the toolkit connect to the resource directly, apart from the links below:

Dying with Christ, Living with Hope

Dying with Christ, Living with Hope

 

Resources and Statements Regarding Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia

Following the release on February 25, 2016, of the report Medical Assistance in Dying: A Patient-Centred Approach, by the Special Joint Committee of the Government of Canada on Physician-Assisted Dying, several declarations and reactions have been published. They include:

Some key websites resources are:

www.lifegivinglove.com - The “Life-Giving Love” Campaign is a national campaign in favour of palliative and home care, and against euthanasia and assisted suicide. It is an initiative of the Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF), supported by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. The "Life-Giving Love" Campaign website of the Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF), launched in September 2014 with the support of the CCCB, provides many resources and formative tools on end of life care.

www.canadiansforconscience.ca - The Archdiocese of Toronto is part of the Respect for Conscience project. This involves a detailed proposal on how to respect the conscience rights of doctors and health-care facilities without interfering with the patient's choice for assisted death. This website provide information and resources to support conscience rights.

To access links to more statements and resources visit the CCCB website by clicking here.

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